Pollution and Toxicology

What this page covers

This unit sits in the Pollution and Waste strand of Environmental science and ecology. Most of what is listed is mind maps, and many of them break pollution into its types: air, water, noise, thermal and soil. Others look at the chemistry behind it, and at toxins and how bodies respond to them.

Where to start

Begin with the mind map Environmental Pollution. It defines pollution as the addition of undesirable material into the environment through human activity and sets out six types. Then open the Types of pollution flashcard deck, which explains land and water pollution in short, plain statements.

Next, move to chemistry. The mind map Environmental Chemistry covers monitoring amounts of chemicals in water and air, and biological indicators such as plants and aquatic life. The note on Science 9, Unit 3, goes through chemicals in the environment and the water, carbon and nitrogen cycles.

Using quizzes and maps together

1. Read a map such as Acid Rain or Eutrophication first.
2. Take the quiz Acid rain for school. It asks why acid rain is a problem and what the pH scale measures.
3. Note which questions you missed, then go back to the matching branch of the map.
4. Test yourself again with a flashcard deck on the same topic.

Toxicology and exam-style material

For toxins, try the deck Sue L2: Toxicity, which asks what a toxin is and how toxins build up in the body. The mind map The Use of Pesticides looks at personal, legal, economic, social and environmental consequences. Exam-style practice includes the APES Unit 8 Test quiz and the APES Unit 8B Test deck, which will suit anyone preparing for AP Environmental Science. Teachers can pull maps and notes straight into a lesson.

Next step

Choose one resource that matches what you are studying this week, work through it, and then try making a map or deck in your own words.